Breathers: 7.19.18, Night 2 Extra

On August 2, 2018August 21, 2018 By gaillovesgodIn Breathing With Friends, Uncategorized, Writing3 Comments

How Faithful You are to me, my God! How clearly You speak, whether in a whisper or shouting right in my face! You delight in me! And I delight in You! Just as I was speaking to You the other night when posting Breathers: 7.19.18, Night 2 of 3, You opened my sleepy eyes, and foggy brain, and honored noting whatever verses or notes I could from being present, without my camera as a distraction, and trusting You with everything.
(Anyone who has not read the post listed above, may not understand this one.
For those of you who did, there are new pics of that night at the end of this post! 🙂 )“And Moses answered and said, But, behold, they will not believe me, nor hearken unto my voice: for they will say, The Lord hath not appeared unto thee. And the Lord said unto him, What is that in thine hand? And he said, A rod.” – Exodus 4:1-2

As I was listening to the speaker the other night when she got to this verse, my half asleep brain thought I was being asked the usual “What are you holding onto that you cannot let go of?” when she was actually asking “What is your hand to use?” As I was typing the post, I was still so foggy that I didn’t even really take in the cracked pots at all. But after the day of rest You gave me on Sunday (ironically a very long and restful sleep, followed by a long and peaceful time awake), You allowed me to reread in a relaxed state. And I finally heard You! Your word! Patricia’s message from You!

And I heard Moses! “A rod.” And I saw MY rod! In the picture! My PEN! ❤My pen is the rod You have given me to help others believe! The ink that ends up on the paper, or the characters on a computer, are the byproducts of this Cracked Pot (my sleepy and foggy brain)! How You choose to let Your people know that You want to free them of their Pharaohs and their taskmasters is up to You! But as long as I am willing to say, “Yes” to Jesus, that is all You ask of me! You want Your people to know!

“And the Lord said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows.”
– Exodus 3:7

And in the message You kept me awake for, You have spoken to me!

What’s in your hand? God is a God who sees and hears. Even when you can’t voice your needs/cries to Him because you don’t even know what they are. God hears and is helping against whatever has been your taskmaster.

Fear and doubt have been my taskmasters! Ghosts of the past and physical chains of the present! They convince me I am of no use to You. That I have nothing to offer, and mess up every attempt You give in mercy and grace with my afflicted body. Still!!! You assure me that You saw and heard me even when I was half asleep, helping me to get those words down so that I can hear You now… I have a rod in my hand! It is filled with ink! Or my fingers that are tapping the keys! The words are finding their way through this cracked pot after all! You tell me my earthen vessel is a treasure filled with Your power.

“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.” – 2 Corinthians 4:7

Who am I to give into doubt and fear so easily when the excellency of Your power will be the glory to shine through? YOU designed this cracked earthen vessel! YOU have given this blog, and the one with all of the poetry that I fear insults You yet the responses from others magnify the testimony You have done throughout my life! It is YOUR testimony! It is YOUR glory! I am merely to say… Yes!

You have a divine strategy to alleviate the suffering of humanity… and if You want to include me for the glory of Your salvation, You know what stick You want to equip me with! What YOU give! THAT is what I am holding onto! THAT is what I have in my hand!

“My heart is inditing a good matter: I speak of the things which I have made touching the king: my tongue is the pen of a ready writer.” – Psalm 45:1

This has been my life verse for as long as I can remember… and yet I too easily forget!

So I am lovingly reminded again of that tender rebuke in the little blue note.“If you think you’ve blown God’s plan for your life, rest in this: You my beautiful friend, are not that powerful.” – Lisa Bevere

If it’s true You use Broken Things… then Lord, I’m all Yours! ❤

SO thank You, Lord, for giving me the very answer You were actually giving me when You were asking it of me. And thank You for allowing me to include the pictures from that night of the Bible Study. You know I always like to make sure I have permission before I use pictures.

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I was so delighted to see that when Keitha gave the OK, she let me know she had just gotten back from a beach vacation with her hubby and son! She took a Breather! 😉 She was being an example for us! And You blessed her for saying Yes in allowing You to pour through her broken vessel!

From one Cracked Pot to another, me and God love you, Keitha! ❤

And Sarah, I trust that wherever God had you at work during this study that He was pouring through you too! I pray God allows me to see you at the next one!

Me and God love you too… my sister Cracked Pot! 😉 ❤

And for you who stayed with me through this post, I know you may doubt your earthen vessel, but your heavenly Father sees treasure to pour His excellent power through! ❤
Say Yes to Jesus, and trust it all to His glory!

He loves you too, my fellow Cracked Pots! ❤

If you would like to read the other night, they are here below:

Breathers: 6.21.18, Night 1 of 3 Soaking Up the Summer, Son, and Shade

Breathers: 7.19.18, Night 2 of 3 In the Cool of the Evening

Breathers: 8.16.18, Night 3 of 3 Gathering on the Back Porch

Breathers: 7.19.18, Night 2 of 3

On July 29, 2018August 21, 2018 By gaillovesgodIn Breathing With Friends, Uncategorized19 Comments

Lord, how grateful I am that You think of me in such loving ways. That You whisper sweet words of tender care just when and where You know that I need them. And that even if I forget them as quickly as I heard them, that it did not take that moment away from me, that I did not disappoint You or anger You, and that You are faithful to continue whispering (shouting if You need to) the words, the sermons, the songs You know I need, because You know the battle is far from over. It will never be completely settled until we are settled in at home… with You.This night You had allowed me to make it to Breathers ladies bible study. It was night 2 of the 3 we will have this 2018 summer. In the Cool of the Evening was the title for this night. Many things tried to hinder my making it, but You were so protective to get me here. There would be the sadness of not having Sarah with us, which meant no Sarah hugs. But I know You were with her while You were with us, and were giving her all the hugs she needed from You.

You allowed me to make it in time enough to stop by the ladies room. As I looked to see if it was occupied, I noticed the door slightly open with the light off. Slowly opening the door, I heard a voice in the dark say, “Oh! Hello!” Immediately I went to close the door while apologizing, but again heard the voice in the dark say, “Oh no! I want you to come on in.” That was kind of creepy, but I knew I was in the ladies room at church, so I entered carefully. A lady was putting her lipstick back in her purse, as she insisted I take the room. As she left, I thought of how skilled she and her eyes must be to put lipstick on in the dark. She was facing the mirror to do it.

After that laugh, I got signed in, was given a pen from the church, got a Keitha hug 🙂 , and found a seat at the table. On the table, I found a little bag with a cute little message,
“There is always room for Smore love.” ❤How adorable! I will finally get to try one of those things I’ve heard so much about through the years! It takes a lot of discipline not to open it so I can get a picture of it first.

I also see a paper reminding us of a guest speaker,
and a place to take notes on later while she is speaking to us.

I look up and see a couple of ladies preparing music for us. **GASP** Tracey will be singing for us! ❤ What a delightful surprise! I watch as they prepare, but try not to interrupt. Instead, I pray for them. Later, Tracey would make my day by saying hey and sharing a Tracey hug! 🙂 After meeting a couple of new sisters in Christ, Keitha opens the night with prayer and instructions. We go get snacks. I ate a couple of sleeping bags. 😉 Yes, that’s right! 2 of the cutest little pigs in the blankets I have ever seen.

The message was so You meeting me where I needed it, even if I didn’t know what I needed, or where I was for You to find me with what I needed. That has been the theme from You lately. As this issue with falling asleep everywhere, and the brain fog, and memory struggles continue even while I am here and listening. I started to struggle with staying upright. I’m most worried about offending the guest speaker.

These are the notes and verses I managed to get while half awake:“And Moses answered and said, But, behold, they will not believe me, nor hearken unto my voice: for they will say, The Lord hath not appeared unto thee. And the Lord said unto him, What is that in thine hand? And he said, A rod.” – Exodus 4:1-2

“And the Lord said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows.” – Exodus 3:7

God has a divine strategy to alleviate the suffering of humanity and it involves you.
For the glory of His salvation!
What’s your stick? What are you holding on to?
Depression – just don’t enjoy anything anymore.

“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.” – 2 Corinthians 4:7

Cracked pots. There is one word that we CAN do in trying to do something for Jesus:
YES. We can say yes.
What are you holding on to?
What’s in your hands?
You feed them.
Free them of their taskmasters.

Dear, Lord, how discouraged I am at this moment in wondering how you can involve me in helping alleviate others’ sufferings when I can’t even stay awake. How can I even know what is in my hand to let go of when I cannot even think straight from struggling to stay awake? Surely I will just keep messing things up.
And then You remind me with that little blue box on the paper. “If you think you’ve blown God’s plan for your life, rest in this:
You, my beautiful friend, are not that powerful.”
– Lisa Bevere

At the end of the night, I grabbed a banana pudding on the way out, and managed with Your help to wait til I got to the car and take pictures before I ate anything.
Worth the wait!! 🙂 Thank You, Lord!

The Smore was worth waiting to try, but was so messy trying to eat that I think,
“Nope. Not me. Especially not while camping and with no napkins.”I don’t really care for snacks or foods that are so messy that it’s a struggle not to get it all over the place between each bite, or just to hold it. Yes, I could taste why people like it, but unless I am in a setting with plenty of napkins, maybe even one or two wet ones, and a drink to wash it down, I will pass on it.

On the way out we grabbed a card for next month.
Gathering on the Back Porch

There’s so much I wanted to blog and share, to love on Keitha with, to share with Sarah, but my sleep, memory, and health issues just won’t accommodate. So I am doing what I can do… still praise You with what You will allow. I share the blessing You gave me with the very mind I am still working with. I may not be able to remember everything, and trusted Your whisper to leave my camera in the car to better focus on You while I was present there. But I KNOW I was blessed. I remember that with absolute! And I share as honestly as I can. I leave the blessings meant for others to You. You can do anything.

For Your word says:
“For with God nothing shall be impossible.” – Luke 1:37

And I believe!! ❤

Thank You, God! Thank You!

Please bless each lady!

If you would like to read the other nights, they are here below:

Breathers: 6.21.18, Night 1 of 3 Soaking Up the Summer, Son, and Shade

Breathers: 7.19.18, Night 2 of 3 Extra

Breathers: 8.16.18, Night 3 of 3 Gathering on the Back Porch

Breathers: 6.21.18, Night 1 of 3

On July 18, 2018August 21, 2018 By gaillovesgodIn Uncategorized9 Comments

“Be still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side.
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain.
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change, He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul: thy best, thy heavenly Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.”
– Be Still, My Soul, hymn lyrics by Katharina von Schlegel

My dearest Lord and Savior, how often I sadly forget You are on my side… allowing the enemy footholds He does not deserve. How mercifully You help me to bear patiently any cross of grief or pain You ask of me. How faithful You are to order and provide, even when I forget I have left everything to You in trust, or carelessly fail to do so. Yet faithful You absolutely remain in every change. You are my soul’s best Friend, my heavenly Friend. You only lead me through thorny ways to lead me to a joyful end that will have Your unmistakable name written all over it… and signed with Love From Above. ❤

You have done this for me in another ladies Bible study
with Keitha and Sarah! 🙂 On June 21st of last month, You allowed me the blessing of being with my two dear friends in sharing and studying You again! This time it will be a 3 night event, one for each 3rd Thursday evening of the 2018 summer. Our first night was Soaking Up the Summer, Son, and Shade. We are blessed to be book free, homework free, and free to enjoy You together… fitting the theme just perfectly, as You so designed! Breathers!

Of course we did not leave out YOUR book…. The Holy Bible.
The verse we each found in our place at the table
was from Psalm 23:2-3.How often You have comforted my soul with this very passage!
The thought of being with You beside beautiful peaceful waters,
restores my soul with love only You can give! ❤
We found this verse along with the cutest little bucket…
As well as the the cutest little shovel, rake, and scoop
inside the bucket…And the tiniest little beach ball I have ever seen.
I can’t believe I actually had the lungs to blow it up,
but I did as soon as I got home! 🙂 We had cute napkins that had a beach scene,
and said just the word we needed on both sides… Relax!

We had door prizes… and I won one!! 🙂
And Sarah did too!! 🙂
PTL! Thank You, Heavenly Father! ❤
A large bucket with goodies inside! Mine was blue! 😉
The goodies inside were bubbles to blow and play with,
sun tan lotion, Goldfish crackers, Swedish Fish gummy worm like candy,
and a Cranberry drink.

I was blessed with fellowship, awesome dessert and pretzel snacks, Keitha hugs, Sarah hugs, conversations, and of course a video from the lady who put Breathers together, but I am ashamed to say I forget her name. I know she spoke on being so busy on what we are doing for Christ that we lose our joy for it, and forget to be thankful for who and what He has given us.

She also shared a video by Kari Jobe called Be Still, My Soul.

**Gasp** My dear Savior! You and You alone know how to give us just what we need when we don’t even know we need it because we don’t even know it exists! But You! You know… and give! ❤ Thank You for allowing my soul to be reminded in being active… determined… vocal… in being still… trusting the very command to be faithful to do that very thing. How desperately my raging fear needed the eviction to allow You to be the God of my Spirit that You are. The flesh may wage a war, but Your Spirit is faithful to battle for us! Even when all we can do is voice the words… maybe even only allow the song to play first… to build the strength we need to voice the command ourselves.Tomorrow night will be night 2 of 3… In the Cool of the Evening. And while I find hope in thinking on Keitha hugs and Sarah hugs, and the fellowship with my precious sisters in Christ, my soul longs to meet with You again… and see what new things You have for us. Whatever it is, I know You are already there. Before our day has even arrived, You have designed a couple of hours set aside just for each one of us… individually and as a group.

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul:
he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies:
thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
– Psalm 23 KJV

I finish with one last thank You, a prayer for each lady and the night itself, and the song You gave us… but in the full hymn for all of my friends who love hymns (me included, Lord! 😉 ). Every word has comforted my soul… and does each time I read it. ❤

Be Still, My Soul (The Lord Is On Thy Side)
– hymn lyrics by Katharina von Schlegel

Be still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side.
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain.
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change, He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul: thy best, thy heavenly Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

Be still, my soul: thy God doth undertake
To guide the future, as He has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still know
His voice Who ruled them while He dwelt below.

Be still, my soul: when dearest friends depart,
And all is darkened in the vale of tears,
Then shalt thou better know His love, His heart,
Who comes to soothe thy sorrow and thy fears.
Be still, my soul: thy Jesus can repay
From His own fullness all He takes away.

Be still, my soul: the hour is hastening on
When we shall be forever with the Lord.
When disappointment, grief and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul: when change and tears are past
All safe and blessèd we shall meet at last.

Be still, my soul: begin the song of praise
On earth, believing, to Thy Lord on high;
Acknowledge Him in all thy words and ways,
So shall He view thee with a well pleased eye.
Be still, my soul: the Sun of life divine
Through passing clouds shall but more brightly shine.

If you would like to read the other nights, they are here below:

Breathers: 7.19.18, Night 2 of 3 In the Cool of the Evening

Breathers: 7.19.18, Night 2 of 3 Extra

Breathers: 8.16.18, Night 3 of 3 Gathering on the Back Porch

Breathing With Friends, Week 4

On March 17, 2018 By gaillovesgodIn Breathing With Friends, Random Challenges1 Comment

Dear, Lord! Dear, Lord! Dear, Lord! I did NOT think I was going to make it this week! Besides being in tremendous pain for several days, even taking a few steps backwards a little bit in regards to difficulty walking, I have simply had a very challenging week… physically, mentally, and spiritually. Praise Your Holy name that You were encouraging me to Breathe, or I would have never made it! So now here we are for

Breathe Ladies Bible Study, Week 4... Coming Into Focus!

Tonight as I enter the church, I see that the area where we have been having snacks and discussions has no tables. There is some renovation going on, so we pass a snack table on the way into the chapel, grabbing our badges just inside the door, and find a place to sit. Yay! for on the way in I get a Keitha hug and a Missy hug! I haven’t seen Missy in awhile! Eventually, Kristy, Missy, and my new Sister in Christ (Ellen) are sitting in front of me, and Sarah beside me! We fellowship for a few minutes before saying a blessing over snacks, and go get some!

I used this moment to go to the ladies room first and realize…
I finally have my camera AND my badge at the same time!!
So I kindly allow the beautiful flowers to hold it for me while I snap! 😉
The caption underneath my name reads:
Making Room For Sabbath

Confession time: I didn’t get ANY of my homework read until just before class, sitting out in the car, and I still had a page to go. Just last week I was going to get my post for Breathing With Friends, Week 3 posted, and remark that I am surprised to be so actively speaking this time around because in past classes I have had a lot going on and simply needed God and HIS opinion, not mine. I was even going to say that I hope I am not annoying Keitha, Sarah, and the ladies with being so vocal. And then the week happened!

For one thing, my brother-in-law, who is in palliative care ended up back in the hospital pretty bad off. My brother, who is his caretaker, was extremely concerned and stressed out. My spine was still struggling to mend from standing so long last week. And even though one of my therapies was doing so well that I have been discharged, I still have some issues in other therapy areas. Home life had some challenges. And speaking of challenges… decluttering wasn’t going quite as well (or quick) as I had hoped. Most of the week, I struggled to stay awake! No joke! But you know what… I was STILL doing my homework and it was paying off when so desperately needed.
1. I was taking time to Breathe! Which led me to falling asleep a lot! 😉
2. I was saying No! Which allowed me to breathe! 🙂
3. I was saying Enough Is Enough! Which allowed healthy choices! ❤
❤ HOMEWORK WELL DONE! LOVED ME SOME DOUBLE PORTION! ❤

Now the Lord has us… Coming Into Focus, So we watch Priscilla’s video.
We were given the week’s assignment to
1. recall what God has accomplished on your behalf.
2. Told that a Rhema word is:
when the Holy Spirit uses a General message and applies it Specifically to your life.
**Hello! When has God NOT been using a general message to apply it specifically to my life! If we pay attention, God WILL speak! His Holy Spirit is whispering clearly to us every moment! He’s so worth listening to! ❤ Keep whispering God! ❤ **
3. Take The 14% Challenge!
A. Take 14 Minutes Every Day this week for God! No distractions!
B. Take 14 Inches Twice a Week to make space for God!

I praise His Holy Name that He gave me my 14 Minutes today that belonged to Him!
You guessed it… a post to follow for each Day and Space given to my God! ❤
Day One was so like Him! Would you expect anything else! ❤

My personal challenge for the week will be…
Recall What God has accomplished on my behalf…
because He has spoken specifically on what…. and it’s very personal.
We all have those. 😉
Sorry to be so silent on you this week, ladies!

After discussing the video and the challenge, we circle up for prayers, updates, and praises. Oh… and there were door prizes! 😉 I love seeing people being gifted with surprises! ❤ God is so good and generous!

Breathing With Friends, Week 2

On March 6, 2018March 6, 2018 By gaillovesgodIn Breathing With Friends, Random Challenges10 Comments

Lord, it’s week 2 and I was so worried that I wasn’t going to be able to attend because of having the occipital nerve block just a few hours before. I was praying and counting on the doctor being right, that I would be able to drive myself home. I had been cautiously optimistic enough to ask my sister Sandra to go with in case she had to drive home because it was the first time I was having shots put into the back of my head.

You were so faithful to answer that prayer! I was able to drive home, and then to the Breathe Ladies Bible Study! Thank You! ❤ Praise Your Holy Name! ❤

I go in and I see Keitha! Yay! A Keitha hug! I love a Keitha hug! I love hugs from my sisters in Christ! I love hugs! ❤ I have my badge (which I have forgotten to a picture of thus far). I sit down. I meet a new sister in Christ as Jackie comes to sit beside me, then Stephanie, and Kristy! Kristy has a new hairdo since I saw her last! It’s awesome! We have some great fellowship. My favorite moment was when Keitha was telling a couple of inside stories about her and Kristy. They were so funny!
I am missing Sarah this week. I thought of texting her so while sitting there, but left my cell in the car 😦 Lord willing, I will see her next week.

Then Keitha hands out a 30 Day De-Clutter Challenge Calendar!

As Keitha was talking about this challenge, she was asking us if there was clutter in our lives… if there was something or an area that was so cluttered we couldn’t even enjoy it anymore. She gave an example of a favorite chair that we might love sitting in, but we have put so many things around it, we can’t sit it in. We have to move a lot stuff out of the way, just to squeeze in. I immediately thought of my bed. I can’t believe I’m going to do this… but just for you who read… just for Keitha who encouraged… and for God who I am trusting on this journey He has prepared for me.

This is all the space in this world that I have for me and everything I own. You can see why as Keitha mentioned the chair so cluttered that things would have to be moved just to squeeze in I immediately thought of my bed that I barely have room to sleep in each night, or whenever I have procedures, or meds take over, or whatever reason I TRY to sit on my bed… even just to sit here and type on the computer… as you can see is crowded as well. So yes I did raise my hand when Keitha asked if anyone would be willing to do the 30 Day De-Clutter Challenge with her.

I will be blogging on that challenge for each day (even if I don’t necessarily get it typed THAT day). It reminds of when I was doing the 21 Day Self Care Challenge with Lovely A of Discovering Your Happiness, and I did my post on Self Care Challenge Day 17: De-Cluttering. God uses these challenges to help me get needed things done!

We did our viewing of the video
Breathe:Making Room for Sabbath by Priscilla Shirer.
This is week 2… Stops Along the Sabbath Journey.

I thought I would show you what a stop on my Sabbath journey looks like. On Sunday mornings I first take my stepdad to his church by 9 am, then go back to get my son to take him to his church, then back to my stepdad’s church because they get out first. I often do MY Sabbath in the car…. often like this… listening to my son’s church on the radio live while doing a puzzle book. It helps me to focus, I kid you not.

Notice the notes that took over my puzzle! 😉

After watching the video we discuss it, the book, our answers, and listening to Keitha talk about things we have normally enjoyed in the past, but we cannot enjoy now because there is so much clutter, or because we don’t say no to others, so we are no longer available to enjoy what we have.

Keitha has since sent an email including an attachment of the calendar for those who may have missed it. I am glad she did. Now I have one to keep up with in my book wherever I go, and one on my computer to remind while I am here at home.
I am not sure where things will go from here… but I desperately need to clean in all the areas on that de-clutter challenge. Okay God, the rest is up to You!

Do you need to do the
30 Day De-Clutter Challenge
with me?? 😉

Breathing With Friends, week 1

On March 4, 2018March 6, 2018 By gaillovesgodIn Breathing With Friends7 Comments

Okay, Lord. Here we go on this new adventure You have set before me. This is the first week of the plans You have laid before me, as I wrote to You about in my last post Catching My Breath. I am so grateful and excited about this Breathe Ladies Bible Study that You are allowing me to do with Keitha and Sarah! Keitha will be leading us on this study… Breathe: Making Room for Sabbath written by Priscilla Shirer.

As I have arrived, I am so nervous. It’s been awhile since I have been able to see some of the ladies. I am also missing Irene being able to do a study with me. I miss her going with me to church, ladies events, and just being here. I know I will see her in heaven, and I thank You for giving her a loving home and pain free life. I just miss her. ❤ Hug her for me!

You encourage me with the thought of seeing Sarah, Keitha, and other familiar faces I am sure I will see. Everyone loves doing a bible study with Keitha! Just to spend time with her is a precious gift from You! We ladies know that when You have Keitha leading, we WILL be given a MEATY serving of Your Holy Word, and that we will have MEANINGFUL and LOVING conversations, and of course a lot of LAUGHS! You tell us laughter is good medicine… so that makes Keitha good medicine! 😉

A merry heart doeth good like a medicine:
but a broken spirit drieth the bones.
– Proverbs 17:22 KJV

As I go inside the church I have never been in before, I get in line and meet a couple of new friends… Carol and Pat are my new sisters in Christ! As we talk, the person in front of them turns around and I see a familiar face! Stephanie! We are so excited to say hey because it has been so long! Last time I saw her she was single. We had kept up in touch via FB, so I knew she was married now. 2 years they have been married already! It was so nice to be able to catch up! We got signed in, got our books, a paper summarizing an outline for the study, and went to find a seat at the table.

Sarah! We see Sarah right off to our right and were able to sit with her! It was such a gift to catch up with her as well! I was hoping to find out how her infant nephew was doing. He is doing better, but is still in the NICU with underdeveloped lungs. It is taking a toll on her sister and brother in law. It was Sarah who had given me a heads up about the study and put my name on a list that allowed me to receive the email from Keitha! Thank you, Sarah!
We all did some fellowshipping and snacks while Keitha went over what we would be doing. We then went around the table, each lady telling her name, her church, and something she loves to do to relax. It was awesome to hear so many different backgrounds! At least 10 different churches, some even “looking” (I like that word better than unchurched), and so many different ways to relax: reading, napping, massages, sitting in a porch swing, going out of town, time with family, hiking, running, exercising, exploring graveyards, spa visits, hair salon visits, shopping, and many more. We even did door prizes.

Then we went to watch the Priscilla Shirer video made for the study.

We took notes as we listened to fill in the blanks.
This was week one: The Freedom of the Sabbath

We had discussion afterwards on the video, the notes, and just in general. We then gathered in a circle, some holding hands, as we took prayer requests, and prayed. Lastly, we were each given a book marker with a bible verse relating to the study.

It was such a blessing to be able to do this study, Lord! Thank You for including me! Thank You for letting me see Sarah, Keitha, Stephanie, so many familiar faces, and meeting new sisters in Christ! ❤ I pray for each one of the prayer requests mentioned (and unspoken), each lady attending (an unable to make it), for all our families, for the church who opened their doors for us, for those who brought and/or served snacks, for those who served in any way, and for anyone that You know needs a special prayer. Praise You, God!

Oh and I did do my homework! 😉

Catching My Breath

On March 3, 2018March 3, 2018 By gaillovesgodIn Breathing With Friends18 Comments

Sitting here in this car, Lord, I had to pull off somewhere. I needed to get away from the frustrations, and the world choking me with petty quarrels. I needed so desperately to find a moment with You. I pulled as far away from traffic and people as possible. I have the car turned off, the windows downs, and my eyes closed. I take in a deep breath. My body appreciates it, but I’m still struggling to hear You. And somehow that breath doesn’t seem complete… or like it’s enough. So many thought running through my mind… including… “Well do I pray? Do I listen first? How long should I listen before I pray? Are You trying to talk to me? Want me to talk to You? Or just listen.”

I hear traffic. I hear birds. I hear the wind. They’re distracting noises. So I apologize for allowing my thoughts to wonder. Yet as I apologize You seem to say, “Be still. Listen.” I try to focus again. Here I go apologizing again for anything that comes to mind or that I hear. And You tell me with emphasis, “Be still! Stop worrying about how you should think or what you hear, or even what comes to mind. Be completely still. Listen! What ever you hear… listen to it. Whatever comes to mind, think on it. Just be still… listen.. and be.”

Suddenly I hear the birds sing. I hear the wind, as I feel it blowing through the car, being so tenderly playful with my hair, feeling so cool on my skin. And then the blog I did called Look Up, and the one called CHOOSE LIFE come to mind. I am reminded to look up. And so I do. **light gasp** Oh how marvelously wonderful You are! I see You… in Your beautiful sky! The firmament in which You have placed such gorgeous dark clouds. Any other day I might been weary of them. I have experienced the importance of reading bad clouds. You use these thoughts to remind me of what You’ve brought me through… of times when You were there. And how You looked after me.

Now You have me close my eyes so that I can see You… YOU! I see warm light. I feel You. I see You! How my heart smiles! I feel Your breath coming through the window… breathing Your Spirit over me… breathing in me new life. It flows over me so mercifully. I soak it up as long as I can. I have forgotten everything else. It reminds me John 20:19-22:

Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord.Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost.

I feel such a calm. I can feel my body relax all over… completely relax. I am mindful of this because very time I go to a doctor’s appointment, or any of my therapists, I am told I can’t relax. Even when they help me to relax more than when I came in, they tell me my body cannot “completely relax“. They say my body is “holding onto the stress” in whatever area they are working with. They say they need to “retrain my brain” to communicate with that area. Electronic testing shows there is very poor communication… sometimes it’s my brain not sending the signal, and sometimes it’s the affected area not responding to the signal. So even just this moment with You is golden! You are telling me to, “Let go. Stop holding onto the stress… even the strings to it. Give everything to me… and breathe. Just be”.

Life calls and interrupts. I knew the moment would be brief. That was part of the stress. How to make 10 minutes be a meaningful moment to Be still and know that [You] are God. Psalm 46:10. You have reminded me that “I” don’t make it meaningful… You do! Just by being there! ❤ However, it’s time to take my son to work. On the way, he wants to play the radio and hears a favorite song. He turns it up and tells me to pay attention. When it’s over another song comes on. **GASP** You are so awesomely personal!! ❤ A song comes on singing our very personal conversation… “Just breathe… Just Breathe. And be… just be“..

Just to hear him say this… and actually pause… with a very well played music to draw you right in to a dramatic pause. I instantly take in a deep breath… a good one. And oh… the release is just as relaxed and complete. How can a song do this? With Your touch, of course! I YouTube it when I get home. The opening pace seems a little quick and annoys me at first, but as I read the words while I listen I realize it’s perfect. It’s describing and sounding like the frantic pace in my life… in my brain. Yet again, as soon as it sings the first line of that chorus, and I draw in that DEEP breath. As I breathe out I am no longer affected by the other quick part, sometimes I don’t even hear it because I have followed the words to Your chorus exactly where You said to go. And oh, was it wonderful.

CHORUS:
Breathe, just breathe
Come and rest at my feet
And be, just be
Chaos calls but all you really need
Is to just breathe

I read the other lines, and each word is like confessing all those little things that vie for my time, and my peace of mind. Well, except the coffee. For me it would be tea or soda.

Alarm clock screaming bare feet hit the floor
It’s off to the races everybody out the door
I’m feeling like I’m falling behind, it’s a crazy life

Ninety miles an hour going fast as I can

Trying to push a little harder trying to get the upper hand
So much to do in so little time, it’s a crazy life
It’s ready, set, go it’s another wild day
When the stress is on the rise in my heart I feel you say just

Third cup of joe just to get me through the day
Want to make the most of time but I feel it slip away
I wonder if there’s something more to this crazy life
I’m busy, busy, busy, and it’s no surprise to see
That I only have time for me, me, me
There’s gotta be something more to this crazy life
I’m hanging on tight to another wild day
When it starts to fall apart in my heart I hear you say just

So I sing these words (or really listen because it’s less stressful 😉 ), tapping along. I definitely feel like I’m falling behind all of the time, as though I’m going 90 miles an hour, I love how that 2nd stanza ends with “when the stress is on the rise in my heart (with that rising rapid beat in rhythm and sound) I feel you say just... And that therapeutic chorus comes. **SIGH** I am in complete peace with You!

It’s amazing how “I can be busy, busy, busy, and it’s no surprise to see that I only have time for me, me, me.” I mean we’re taught if we’re busy it gets our mind off of ourselves. But if my alone time is so busy that all I am focused on is “Am I?” “Do I? “How do I? “What do I?” That is just me, me, me. I need to be silent. Not just outside of my head. Because it is then that “when [my day] starts to fall apart in my heart I hear you just say… Just breathe…” I can come and rest at Your feet. I don’t care if chaos is calling. I only hear You. You are all I need! ❤

You finish with instructing me on WHY I need to breathe.

Is to take it in, fill your lungs
The peace of God that overcomes
Just breathe (just breathe)
let your weary spirit rest
Lay down what’s good and find what’s best
Just breathe (just breathe)

After I sing for a bit, I come across a FB Inbox Message from my dear friend Sarah letting me know that our dear friend Keitha has will be leading an upcoming ladies bible study. Then I receive an e-mail from Keitha with all of the info. And what was the name of the bible study…. 🙂 BREATHE!!! ❤ I am so excited, and so thrilled to know you have plans for me! And with such precious friends! You had been speaking to me, encouraging me to be involved in an activity with the church ladies. You worked everything out according to Your well laid plans… according to Your Holy Will! ❤

SO now I will lay my head to rest, thinking on Psalm 4:4: